Deck 16: Work Evaluation and Work Programs

Question 1

As the OT consultant on a corporation's ergonomics team,you notice increased incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in workers in the payroll department.What do you present to your team to increase awareness of the problem and generate possible solutions?

A) The names of all the employees with injuries in the past year
B) A summary of the scope of injuries in that focused area and the effects on production, workers' compensation, and associated costs to the company
C) A suggestion for an aggressive company-wide education program involving all employees
D) A suggestion that all the injured workers complain to management

Answer 1

B
OT practitioners on a corporate ergonomics team must be careful to protect the confidentiality of individual workers.It is most effective to look at trends that indicate problem work areas or job tasks.It is more cost effective to address the most resource-draining problems first,and if they are just in one area (i.e.,the payroll department),an aggressive company-wide program is not necessarily required.

Question 2

LD sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI)at the T-11 level resulting from a car accident.Before his injury he worked as a service manager at a car dealership.He would like to return to this job.What type of vocational evaluation would provide the most information to help him return to his previous job?

A) A specific vocational evaluation
B) A general vocational evaluation
C) Work hardening
D) Valpar 9 Total Body Range of Motion test

Answer 2

A
A general vocational evaluation provides an assessment to evaluate a person's potential to do any kind of work.Because JD wants to return to his previous job and it is feasible for him to do this job in a wheelchair,a specific vocational evaluation could provide information regarding his readiness to return to his previous job at the car dealership.

Question 3

The ABC candy company requires workers to perform packaging of 1-pound boxes at a standing workstation.What is the best height for this type of workstation?

A) 34-37 inches: slightly below elbow
B) 37-43 inches: above elbow height
C) 28-35 inches: heavy work
D) This task should be done while sitting.

Answer 3

A
Light (under 10 lb)packaging tasks are preferred to be done standing because downward pressure must be exerted.Standing work heights for light packaging are recommended at 34 inches to 37 inches,which is just below elbow height for the average population.These standards are from "Elements of ergonomics programs: a primer," Washington,DC,1997,U.S.Gov Printing Office.

Question 4

A factory worker on an assembly line has been referred to occupational therapy (OT)for treatment of his right biceps tendonitis,which is prohibiting him from performing at a productive level because of his high pain levels.What risk factor must be closely assessed in a job analysis?

A) Cold temperatures
B) Vibration
C) Repetitions of tasks within a time period
D) Contact stress

Question 5

The state Department of Rehabilitation refers many clients to OT for help with the transition from school to work.What would be an appropriate goal for a student with paraplegia who wants to be a teacher?

A) Increase upper extremity strength to within normal limits
B) Independence with using a computer and a projector to put lessons on the board.
C) Independent with all dressing skills
D) Any goal made collaboratively with the student, rehabilitation counselor, and the OT practitioner